Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Remembering Jimmy Dickens

A great Opry friend of mine, and a frequent reader of the blog, asked if I would post a few line-ups that highlighted Jimmy Dickens. He specifically asked for a couple, so here you go. As everyone knows, while Jimmy Dickens joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1948, he left the show in 1957. He returned to the Opry as a member on February 8, 1975. On that night, Hank Snow introduced him by saying, "Jimmy is one of the greatest showmen of all time. It's like replacing the most important spoke in a wheel to have him back on the Opry. We need more Jimmy Dickenses." That first night back, Jimmy sang, "Family Reunion." Jimmy told a reporter later, "I thought that it was appropriate. It's hard to put in words and how how you feel about being back in the family. It's been so long." Here is the running order of the Grand Ole Opry, Saturday February 8, 1975, the night Jimmy Dickens rejoined the Opry: 1st show6:00: ViettiDavid Houston (host): She's All Woman/Baby;Baby/Living In A House Full of LoveCharlie Louvin: (?)Ernie Ashworth: The High Cost of LivingDavid Houston: NashvilleCharlie Louvin: When You Have to Fly AloneErnie Ashworth: Love-I Finally Found ItKenny Penny: Devil's DreamDavid Houston: Almost Persuaded6:30: Mrs. GrissomsBilly Walker (host): Smokey PlacesJustin Tubb: Ramblin' ManJim & Jesse: Please Be My LoveBilly Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain6:45: Rudy's Jim Ed Brown (host): Don't Let GoBilly Grammer: Wabash Cannonball/God Will Take Care of YouJim Ed Brown: Pop A Top7:00: Rudy'sBill Monroe (host): I Wonder Where You Are TonightLoretta Lynn: The PillWilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: I Ain't Gonna Work TomorrowJimmy C Newman: Big MamouBill Monroe: Blue Moon of KentuckyLoretta Lynn: Coal Miner's DaughterWilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Did You Think to PrayBill Monroe: Bluegrass Breakdown7:30: Standard CandyPorter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed SouthMarion Worth: Sleeping At the Foot of the BedOsborne Brothers: Rocky TopBarbara Lea: Ain't Love GrandCrook Brothers/ Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain RagPorter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home/Cold Hard Facts of Life/The Carroll County Accident8:00: Martha WhiteLester Flatt (host): Wonder If You're Lonesome TooGrandpa Jones: Ol' Rattler's PupWillis Brothers: Wild Side of LifeStu Phillips: Loving You; Still Loving YouLester Flatt: Great Big Woman and A Little Biddy Bottle of WineGrandpa & Ramona Jones: Fallen LeavesWillis Brothers: Big DaddyLester Flatt: Foggy Mountain Breakdown8:30: StephensHank Snow (host): I'm Moving OnJeanne Pruett: Just Like Your DaddyJimmy Dickens: Family ReunionBill Carlisle: Shanghai RoosterFruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing RidgeJeanne Pruett: Hold to My Unchanging Love/Love Me/You Don't Need to Move A Mountain/Satin SheetsHank Snow: Indian Love Call2nd show9:30: Kellogg'sDavid Houston (host): JambalayaWillis Brothers: Give Me 40 AcresBilly Walker: Cross the Brazos at WacoCharlie Louvin: Mary of the Wild MoorDavid Houston: Good ThingsErnie Ashworth: The High Cost of LivingDavid Houston: Almost Persuaded10:00: FenderBill Monroe (host): Never Again Will I Knock on Your DoorJimmy C Newman: Potato SongJim & Jesse: ParadiseBill Monroe: Mule Skinner Blues10:15: Union 76Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed SouthLoretta Lynn: The PillBilly Grammer: What A FriendPorter Wagoner: Carolina MoonshinerMac McGaha: Orange Blossom Special10:30: TrailblazerLester Flatt (host): Little MaggieGrandpa & Ramona Jones: Arkansas TravelerJustin Tubb: Loving ArmsLester Flatt: Let the Church Roll On 10:45: Beech-NutJim Ed Brown (host): The Three BellsWilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Thank God I Am FreeCrook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Ida RedJim Ed Brown: Southern Loving11:00: Coca-ColaHank Snow (host): You're Easy to LoveJeanne Pruett: Just Like Your DaddyOsborne Brothers: RubyFruit Jar Drinkers: Bill CheathamJeanne Pruett: Welcome to the SunshineSam McGee: Victor RagHank Snow: My Mother11:30: Elm HillStu Phillips (host): Loving You; Still Loving YouJimmy Dickens: I'm Little But I'm Loud/I Love Lucy BrownMarion Worth: Delta DawnBill Calisle: Have A Drink on MeRonnie Robbins: Mama Tried/If You Love Me, Let Me KnowStu Phillips: No One KnowsWhile we know that Jimmy Dickens came to the Opry in 1948, the exact date has changed several times over the years, the majority of the time it is listed as August. In going through my Opry progams, I have several from 1948 with the first one listing Jimmy dated October 9, 1948. Here is the Opry line-up from that early Jimmy Dickens appearance. 7:30: American Ace CoffeeRoy Acuff (host): Its So Hard to SmileTommy Magness: Blackberry BlossomDot and Smokey: To Be AnnouncedJimmy Riddle: Listen to the Mocking BirdRoy Acuff: Waltz of the WindUncle Dave Macon: Only Been Down to the ClubJug Band: Call Old RattlerRoy Acuff: Take My Hand Precious LordSonny: Red River ValleyDot and Smokey: To Be AnnouncedOswald: Coming From the BallRoy Acuff: Will the Circle Be Unbroken8:00: Purina ShowErnest Tubb (host): Long Gone DaddyBill Monroe: The Girl With the Blue Velvet BandMel and Stan: I've Lost AllJimmy Dickens: John HenryCrook Brothers: Billy in the Low GroundErnest Tubb: Seaman's BluesBlue Grass Quartet: He'll Set Your Fields on FireVelma: Mother's Old SunbonnetButterball: There'll Be No Tears TonightErnest Tubb: Darling What More Can I DoHal Smith: Tennessee Wagoner8:30: Warren PaintCowboy Copas (host): Believe It Or NotLew Childre: Dis TrainRobert Lunn: To Be AnnouncedUncle Dave Macon: Hesitation BluesPossum Hunters: Old JoeCowboy Copas: The Hope of a Broken HeartString Beans: Crazy WarOkey Dokies: To Be AnnouncedRusty and Dusty: The Farmer's DaughterCowboy Copas: Kentucky WaltzRed Herron: To Be Announced9:00: Roy Acuff (host): Little MosesJimmy Riddle: You Call Everybody Darlin'George Morgan: Please Don't Let Me Love YouLonzo and Oscar: I Didn't Know the Gun Was LoadedFruit Jar Drinkers: Old Joe ClarkPap and Jug Band: Roly PolyLazy Jim Day: Singing the NewsRoy Acuff: This World Can't Stand LongOswald: Nobody's BusinessTommy Magness: Grey Eagle9:30: Prince AlbertRed Foley (host): Tennessee Saturday NightRed Foley: I Just Can't Keep from CryingRed Foley: No One Will Ever KnowBradley Kincaid: Blue Tail FlyOld Hickory Quartet: Waiting for the Robert E. LeeWally Fowler: I Got FaithFloyd Ethridge: Mississippi SawyerFloyd Ethridge: Leather Britches10:00: WalriteTo Be AnnouncedTo Be AnnoundedBradley Kincaid: The Miner's SongTo Be AnnouncedTo Be Announced10:15: GaylarkRoy Acuff (host): The Heart That Was Broken for MeOswald: Roll On Buddy, Roll OnUncle Dave Macon: Rock of AgesRoy Acuff: PoemGang: Precious MemoriesTommy: Bully of the Town10:30: Fletcher-WilsonCowboy Copas (host): Too Many Tear DropsLazy Jim Day: Singing the NewsLew and String Beans: Working on a BuildingCowboy Copas: Tragic RomanceOkey Dokies: To Be AnnouncedRed Herron: To Be Announced10:45: Royal FlourMilton Estes (host): Life Gets TediousMel and Stan: God's River of BlessingJimmy Selph: I Got a Hundred and Sixty AcresMilton Estes: Lay Down Your Soul11:00: Jefferson IslandGeorge Morgan (host): Petal from a Faded RoseCrook Brothers: Dust on the BibleTo Be AnnouncedGeorge Morgan: Lonely RiverCrook Brothers: Ida Red11:15: Ernest Tubb SongbookErnest Tubb (host): When a Soldier Knocks and Finds Nobody HomeVelma: They Warned Me About YouDrake Brothers: Highways are Happy WaysErnest Tubb: I'll Get Along Somehow11:30: Farmers Wholesale NurseryJimmy Dickens (host): Wedding BellsGully Jumpers: To Be AnnouncedLonzo and Oscar: To Be AnnouncedTo Be AnnouncedJimmy Dickens: Tramp on the Street11:45: Bob West GuitarWally Fowler (host): One Has My Name, the Other Has My HeartRobert Lunn: To Be AnnouncedFruit Jar Drinkers: Bill BaileyWally Fowler: Ten CommandmentsRobert Lunn: To Be AnnouncedFruit Jar Drinkers: Going Up TownOne of the early Opry books that I have in my collection is "Grand Ole Opry" by William McDaniel. This book came out in 1952 and was one of the first that covered the history of the Opry and the members of that time period. Here is what was written about Jimmy Dickens in that book: Little Jimmy Dickens is definitely the smallest star on the Grand Ole Opry, and he probably has the loudest voice of any man his size in the entertainment field. He is only four feet and eleven inches tall, but every inch of him helps to make up a dynamo of energy and a captivating personality. Jimmy was born in Raleigh County, West Virginia, near Bolt, and was brought up on a farm. When he was seventeen years old, he entered radio in Beckley, West Virginia, where his big voice and friendly smile made him a local success. From there he went to stations in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Cincinnati, Ohio. Jimmy joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1948, and within a short time he had become a nationwide favorite for his performances both on the air and in personal appearances. The songs that Jimmy sings most are those reminiscent of rural customs and the country way of life, some serious, some humorous. Best example of this is the song that first made him famous: "Old Cold Tater." It harks back to childhood days when he had to wait to eat at the second table on Sunday when the preacher came for dinner at his house, and his mother said, "Jim, take a 'tater and wait." Similar songs that he has made famous and recorded for Columbia are "Sleepin' At The Foot Of The Bed," "The Galvanized Washing Tub" (a familiar bathing vessel), "Get Them Cold Feet Over On The Other Side," etc. Others of slightly different nature but equally successful are "Bessie The Heifer," "I'm Little But I'm Loud," and "It May Be Silly, But Ain't It Fun." Like all other folk artists, he also sings religious songs. One of his latest is "They Locked God Outside The Iron Curtain."During his performances, Jimmy is a diminutive cowboy. He wears a smaller version of the traditional Western garb, usually two-toned. He wears cowboy boots, and his favorite pair have sterling silver toes. As his loud voice goes into action, he pats his foot vigorously, jumps and bounces in time with the music. He never loses his infectious smile, and his eyes twinkle with good humor. Between his turns at the microphone, he is usually engaged in some spontaneous comic routine with other members of the cast. Jimmy is married, but he has no children. He and his wife live in a modest home in Nashville's suburbs. He keeps a horse and is found of riding and hunting. (The visitation for Jimmy Dickens will be Wednesday evening with the public service on Thursday at 11:00am. WSM radio is broadcasting the service live, both on the AM channel and on-line).

Little Jimmy's Celebration of Life service will be broadcast over 650 AM WSM, www.wsmonline.com or through the free WSM mobile app. It will also be live streamed on www.opry.com. Sirius/XM Satellite Radio will air the service on its Willie’s Roadhouse channel & as well as RFD-TV.

It sure has been a sad week. Little Jimmy was a larger than life character & a character he was. I think Pete Fisher & the Grand Ole Opry did a great job of honoring Little Jimmy last Friday & Saturday evenings & Eddie Stubbs has done his usual excellent job of playing Little Jimmy Dickens music every night this week. And as has been previously announced, Eddie will pay tribute during his entire 5 hour show tomorrow night on the life & music of Little Jimmy. Monday morning Bill Cody dedicated his show to Little Jimmy - he interviewed Bill Anderson, Charley Pride, Andy Griggs, Charlie Daniels & others, which was great. Bill played "I Love Lucy Brown" - I hadn't heard that song in quite a while & as I listened to it, it reminded me of Connie's Smith's answer to Little Jimmy with her song "I Love Charlie Brown." They would do those two songs on the Opry but haven't in quite a while. Always thought it was very cool the way Little Jimmy flipped his guitar up & over & then totally around with his left hand. Sure going to miss him but what a great gift of the body of work he has left behind for us to enjoy.

I drove 260 miles to Nashville and 260 miles back home to attend the Celebration of Jimmy's life Thursday. It was a very emotional and amazing service. Here was a man who was LOVED by thousands of people, and as best I can tell, had no enemies.We should all do as well in our lives.

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About Me

I am a nationally recognized independent historian of the Grand Ole Opry. In addition to being the publisher and writer of Fayfare's Opry Blog, I have also researched Opry information for numerous authors and interested Opry fans. A resident of Canton, Ohio, I have attended hundreds of Grand Ole Opry shows since my first visit to Nashville in 1973. I can be contacted via email at bfay54@gmail.com